Dive Brief:
- Work can either fuel employee well-being or become a source of strain for employees already stressed out by economic volatility and political tension, according to a May 12 survey of employee mental health by Inmar Intelligence.
- Of the 1,000 U.S. full- and part-time employees who responded to the May 12 survey, 34% said their job positively impacts their mental health, while 33% reported a negative impact, Inmar found.
- “This near-even split reinforces the importance of thoughtful leadership and inclusive workplace design to support the full spectrum of employee needs,” the business technology firm stated in a May 29 post.
Dive Insight:
Job security (45%), reasonable workload (40%) and supportive management (40%) are the top factors employees cited as having a positive impact on their mental health at work, the survey found. Flexible work options (39%) and a healthy work culture (38%) followed closely behind.
Conversely, employees cited poor communication (32%), excessive or unclear workload (30%) and a toxic or stressful culture (29%) as key negative factors. They were followed by lack of recognition (25%) and unsupportive management (24%).
These findings “reinforce that mental health and job conditions are deeply intertwined,” Inmar pointed out in the post.
What drives measurable change? “Improving communication, clarity and leadership support,” the firm said.
Recent studies back this up, confirming that organizations have some control over helping employees with their mental health.
In particular, research released in May by Simon Fraser University found that people were 55% more likely to disclose mental health concerns to their employer when they perceived a supportive environment.
This is important, the study showed, because researchers also found that low disclosure rates and poor employee perceptions were linked to higher absenteeism and anxiety, as well as lower productivity and performance.
In contrast, supportive workplaces saw more engagement, higher job satisfaction and better retention, according to the report.
Another study, out of the University of Iowa, focused on severe mental health issues within the broader context of occupational health. This one found “some suggestive evidence” that paid leave would help reduce the suicide rate, especially if implemented at the employer-employee level.
A third study, by Business Group on Health, found that organizational leaders are taking well-being strategies seriously.
Despite economic uncertainty and rising healthcare costs, 93% of 131 global employers who responded to BGH’s survey said they plan to maintain or expand well-being offerings for 2025.
All respondents said their well-being strategy includes mental health, and nearly half said mental health is the most important part of that strategy.
Common well-being initiatives included employee assistance programs, stress management and mindfulness and resilience programs.
